This year's show was held on August 16 and 17, postponed from June 20 and 21, in the field behind Spotsylvania
Middle School, Spotsylvania Courthouse. We had about 370 paid admission attendees and approximately 600 in total attendance
including children and exhibitors. Net proceeds were approximately $2500, including a donation to the Sheriffs Department
to help buy a second Barrel Train Ride.

We had over 60 tractors on display. Six craft vendors and merchants participated, all from the local areas,
and four groups had information displays. Saturday entertainment was "The New Girls Night Out" Bluegrass Band from Lake Anna
area. Sunday it was "Southern Rain" from Partlow. Ten different business donated cash or items to offset the cost of entertainment
and advertising.

Overall, the amount of equipment displayed and the attendance was only about 60% of last year's figures. We
attribute that primarily to the fact we rescheduled from the original June date because of a long period of heavy rain. Many
potential attendees are on vacation in August, and we lost some exhibitors due to hay harvest, something that isn't usually
going on in late June. Also, the Partlow Ruritan Club had to withdraw as our primary food vendor because of vacation schedules.

We intend to have the show again next year, June 19 and 20, 2004. In addition to showcasing local tractor
restorers, one of the objectives of the Show is providing Spotsylvania non-profits the opportunity to raise funds or publicize
their groups. Accordingly, we intend to offer local nonprofits first chance to participate. We also intend to again solicit
Spotsylvania craft vendors and merchants, and will invite local bands for entertainment again next year.

In keeping with the objectives of the Spotsylvania Battlefield Education Association (SBEA), the Shows sponsor,
we are working to evolve the Show into an "Agricultural Heritage" event with exhibits and displays that illustrate how farm
work changed from the 19th century to the present. We would also like to develop displays of the changing nature
of agriculture in Spotsylvania and Virginia, such as the increasing number of vineyards.

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Another Successful Basket Bingo!!

In spite of the snow, SBEA had another successful basket bingo
on March 30, 2003. At 1:00 pm 86 dedicated players showed up at the Salem Church Library and stood in the snow to play
basket bingo. Over $2800 in baskets were given away full of goodies! Again
there were several players who won more than once! Dwana Ryan, Debbie Wheeler and Anita Norris each won twice. Dawn
Germain won three times! Sioux Cutright won the big raffle! Robin Eddleton won the small raffle!

SBEA Board Members would like to thank Spotsylvania Preservation
Foundation, Inc. for their support in providing the refreshments. We enjoy working with you! Thanks to all the players, members and volunteers SBEA raised over $1100 for preservation efforts in Spotsylvania County!

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SBEA's First Basket Bingo

was a success thanks to all the supporters and basket bingo players! The bingo was held on December
8th at the Salem Church Library. Eighty-five people played for 4 hours winning great baskets filled with goodies.

Some of the players actually won more than once! Linda Hull
won 3 prizes. Angie Williams, Megan Mills and Janis Jarrell each won 2 prizes! Ada Flippo won the big raffle that was valued
over $550!

SPFI assisted with the concession stand providing the
players with drinks and snacks. SBEA would like to thank all the sponsors,
SPFI, and members for providing support with a great fundraiser! SBEA raised over $1700 for preservation efforts in Spotsylvania
County.

On June 22 & 23, 2002, SBEA sponsored the 2nd Annual Antique Tractor and Equipment show at Spotsylvania
Middle School on Courthouse Road.

Spotsylvania area collectors brought over 100 tractors for display at the show, plus there were collections
of old chain saws, garden tractors and other equipment. Most of the tractors were from the 1930's and 1940s. They gave
off the proud glow of loving restoration with their bright shiny paint. The earliest example on display was Dick Stephens'
1927 Ford Model T panel truck, converted to a tractor during the Depression

Country-grown or city-cultivated people came by the hundreds to admire the old time tractors. About 630 adults
paid to attend, plus 200 or more kids got in free. The objective of the show is not only to provide an opportunity
for local collectors to exhibit their equipment, but also for local non-profit groups to raise funds. To that end, SBEA, who
provided the upfront funding and manpower for the show, netted about $3,000. SBEA aims to preserve battlefield land
outside the boundaries of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The 4-H (toy sales) and
the Partlow Ruritan Club (food sales) netted about $500 each. Entertainment was provided by Spotsylvania's own
"Country Proud", country music band, on Saturday and by the Paige County Ramblers Bluegrass band on Sunday.

In recognition of the late Tommy Jett's achievements as a collector and restorer, and his help, not only
to this show but to many other "old tractor" fans, SBEA established the "Tommy Jett Award for Excellence in Tractor Restoration".
At each year's show, a restored tractor that epitomizes a "restoration to original condition" will receive this award. This
tractor and its owner will be entered on a plaque representing "The Spotsylvania Antique Tractor Hall of Fame". The
plaque will be displayed at the Snow Library on Courthouse Road. It is only fitting that the first tractor to
be listed on this plaque is the 1959 John Deere 730 restored by Tommy Jett himself. This year's winner went to Bobby
Seay for his 1940 Farmall H.

The Ladies Memorial Association Observances
at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, May 29, 2002

The Ladies Memorial Association, one of the first groups formed after the Civil War to commemorate
the lives lost in the war, holds a ceremony every year, on Washinton Avenue and Amelia Street. This year marks the 136th year
the Ladies Memorial Association has organized the ceremony. Music of the Confederacy was played. Confederate flags were
placed on graves of the veterans and U.S. Flags on graves of veterans of other wars. Southern heritage and re-enactment
groups participated in the ceremony. Sons of the Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy honored
their ancestors in the ceremony.

Fredericksburg Civil War Weekend, May 23 - 27, 2002

Lest We Forget, Fredericksburg's Civil War Weekend was a tribute to those thousands of men who died here.
Those tumultuous years that left a lasting wound on the nation. Colorful, engaging living history, a moving luminaria
for the 15,000 men at rest in Fredericksburg's National Cemetery, river boat cruises, concerts with period music, guided tours,
and collections of Civil War weapons. Historian John Cummings offered a glimpse into the effect that the war had
on the civilians of the region. He told about the Myer family, who were evacuated from their home in Fredericksburg before
the bombing of the town. He told how they tried to escape to a farm in Spotsylvania and of their struggles.

First Confederate Monument Dedicated at
Spotsylvania

The first monument to commemorate Confederate soldiers engaged at Spotsylvania Court House was dedicated
on Sunday, November 11, 2001.

Placed on a ridge near the McCoull house site and a secondary trench line, the monument honors the men of
Ramseur's Brigade. The Brigade consisted of the 2nd, 4th, 14th and 30th North Carolina Infantry Regiments. Funding
for the monument was provided by the 30th North Carolina Troops re-enactment unit and the Charlotte Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Don Pfanz, National Park Service historian, was the keynote speaker.

The rain stayed away on Monday, May 28, 2001 to make for an exceptional event at the Myer family plot to
honor the Confederate military service of John Henry Myer. The Ladies Memorial Association and the Fredericksburg Chapter
of the UDC sponsored the dedication of an Iron Cross marker. The marker was donated by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans
Fitzhugh Lee Camp from Spotsylvania Court House. SBEA Director John Cummings offered biographical details of Myer's
life. After the ceremony a reception was held at the elegant Fredericksburg home known as "Federal Hill", on Hanover Street.
Decendants of John Henry Myer and a crowd of fifty others turned out to dedicate an SCV Iron Cross marker on his grave.